anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin by the modulation of nf-κb expression during hyperglycemia-induced nephropathy in rat

objective: atorvastatin has the pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammation and antioxidant. therefore, this study considered to examine the effects of atorvastatin on nf-қb expression, as a main transcription factor for expression of inflammatory cytokines, in hyperglycemia-induced nephropathy in rat. materials and methods: twenty four male wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups; normal, normal treatment, diabetic, and diabetic treatment. rats were made diabetic by an intravenous injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). treated rats received atorvastatin for 60 days (40 mg/kg/day). at the end of experiment, blood samples were collected for measurement of blood glucose. moreover, the mrna expression level of nf-қb in kidney was determined by rt-pcr technique. results: induction of diabetes significantly increased the mean value of blood glucose in diabetic rats (>450 mg/dl) compared with normal rats (p=0.001). chronic hyperglycemia also increased the mrna expression level of nf-қb in diabetic kidney. moreover, the mean value of kidney index was significantly increased in diabetic rats compared to normal group (p=0.001). treatment with atorvastatin in diabetic rats for 60 days reduced the mrna expression level of nf-қb and kidney index compared to non-treated diabetic rats (p=0.014). conclusion: our findings revealed that atorvastatin is able to prevent the development of diabetic nephropathy during chronic uncontrolled hyperglycemia possibly by the inhibition of nf-қb expression in the kidneys of diabetic rats.